Troubled Japanese electronics giant Sony is looking to attract iPhone converts to its Xperia handsets by making it easy to move data and media off Apple's smartphone using a newly released version of its Transfer software.

Sony recently updated the Xperia Transfer software that makes it easy to switch from an iPhone to one of Sony's Android-powered Xperia handsets. Users first back up their iPhones in iTunes before hooking up a compatible Sony device to the Transfer Wizard, which moves contacts, messages, calendar entries, notes, bookmarks, music, and other media to the non-Apple handset.

As noted by TechnoBuffalo, Xperia Transfer works with Sony's Xperia V, Xperia VC, Xperia TC, Xperia T, and Xperia TL, as well as the company's most recently announced Xperia Z line.

Once a premier name in consumer electronics, Sony has struggled to make a dent in the smartphone segment. The Japanese conglomerate has been outmaneuvered by upstarts such as Apple ? which also leapfrogged Sony in the digital media player industry ?and Samsung. The latter is the overwhelming leader among manufacturers of devices running Android, the same OS used by Sony's Xperia lineup.

Sony isn't alone in hoping to draw converts from Apple's platform. HTC, another Android manufacturer overshadowed by Samsung, released its own Sync Manager, which performs largely the same tasks as Sony's software, aiming to attract iPhone users to its new premium HTC One device.

How either company will fare has yet to be seen. While there have been some unspecified claims of success in attracting iPhone users to other platforms, brand loyalty is especially strong among iOS product owners. This is due in no small part to the iOS ecosystem, which is believed by some to have superior quality apps. Some apps are also iOS exclusive, making switching difficult unless the developer has made a version of the software available on a competing app strore.

How is Sony 'troubled'? Just because they don't have a huge market share in smartphones doesn't mean they're troubled. What about their TVs, the PS3, their DSLR cameras and their professional video segment? I hardly think Sony is a 'troubled' company, whichever way you want to interpret that word.

... I hardly think Sony is a 'troubled' company, whichever way you want to interpret that word.

It looks like the company's stock is down around 30% compared to a year ago (But to be fair, apple's is down comparably). Apple had $13 billion in profits last quarter, the second highest ever for a US corporation. Sony has lost money for the past four quarters. Even without the comparison to apple, losing money constitutes "troubled". That's how I'd interpret the word.

It looks like the company's stock is down around 30% compared to a year ago (But to be fair, apple's is down comparably). Apple had $13 billion in profits last quarter, the second highest ever for a US corporation. Sony has lost money for the past four quarters. Even without the comparison to apple, losing money constitutes "troubled". That's how I'd interpret the word.

... I hardly think Sony is a 'troubled' company, whichever way you want to interpret that word.

It looks like the company's stock is down around 30% compared to a year ago (But to be fair, apple's is down comparably). Apple had $13 billion in profits last quarter, the second highest ever for a US corporation. Sony has lost money for the past four quarters. Even without the comparison to apple, losing money constitutes "troubled". That's how I'd interpret the word.

Jeeze, are you kidding? I'm not saying Sony is top of the consumer list these days, but they were virtually wiped of the face of the earth by a little tsunami a while back.Might have something to do with "troubled".

Sony is irrelevant in the smartphone space. I don't know a single person with an Xperia phone, and iTunes transfer software is not going to change that. Not like iPhone users are clamoring to switch to a Sony phone, if only it was easier to transfer their media. These companies should focus more on bringing Samsung down a peg, instead of Apple.

And yes, Sony is troubled. They're not the top brand in a single industry any more. Their smartphones/tablets/computers have pitiful sales, and in TVs their name means very little anymore.

How is a one time initial process 'targeting' iPhone users?!? Is anyone buying a phone for two years based on how easy they can port contacts? No.

How about "Sony tries to provide decent customer support for users coming from other popular devices" Nah, that doesn't generate clicks. Remember that LG story with their 'spoof' commercial on panorama pictures? Now THAT'S targeting iPhone users.

Once a premier name in consumer electronics, Sony has struggled to make a dent in the smartphone segment.

Sony made several massive and fatal mistakes. They underestimated the popularity of MP3 in the early '90s and came up with their own proprietary ATRAC encoding. It was a pain to convert from MP3 to ATRAC. And they also tried to ship proprietary storage devices: Memory Stick and MiniDisc. If either one had really sold in huge numbers, they would have become de-facto storage standards, and ATRAC would have become the "new MP3" since it was the encoding used on MiniDisc. None of this happened, of course. The Sony brand name, as powerful as it was, didn't provide a "halo" effect strong enough to counteract the awkwardness of their audio format and storage hardware. Sony's once-dominant Walkman brand lost market share, and Sony management did little to stop the slide.

But I think Sony's decline really started to accelerate in January 1996. Motorola released the first true clamshell / flip phone, the StarTAC. That phone completely killed off Sony's cellphone sales in the US, and Sony's US cellphone business never recovered from that. I'm pretty sure that was the first time Sony had been completely crushed in any product category in the US. (If you don't remember, Sony had a very small cell phone at the time that was featured in ads and movies because smaller was cooler in cell phones.)

Then, of course, Apple released the Walkman-crushing iPod in 2001. Beaten in cell phones, beaten in portable audio, and suddenly threatened by low-cost upstarts like Samsung in the TV and home entertainment space. The Sony empire couldn't or wouldn't move fast enough to save itself.

Their company model was solely based on high quality and minaturisation. And because everything is minature these days and quality overall is pretty good, they got overtaken in these departments and missed the boat to the 21st Century.

I like Sony.
Have a cathode-ray TV, 17 years old and running perfectly. I won't get rid of it until it packs in.
I recently purchased my first flat screen TV from Sony and I love it, although the UI is just ok.
Bought a Sony Ultrabook for my wife's work, the build quality blows Samsung crap out of the water, although doesn't compare to my MBA.
I had a Samsung LCD and it lasted a few months past warranty, it's in the garage awaiting my axe when I find the time and place to hack it to pieces. This piece of shit tormented me for ages by not switching on.
Had it fixed once and the problem came back.
Yes I know, these are my experiences, and so far Sony has been great.
I know nothing about their phones, but I would expect their build quality to easily surpass the majority of android phones. Samsung? Don't make me laugh.

I hope Sony becomes more successful and begins to flourish as they were pioneers and deserve more success.
Not sure what I could suggest as I don't have enough expertise.
Maybe an option would be to partner Apple on a larger scale.

How is Sony 'troubled'? Just because they don't have a huge market share in smartphones doesn't mean they're troubled. What about their TVs, the PS3, their DSLR cameras and their professional video segment? I hardly think Sony is a 'troubled' company, whichever way you want to interpret that word.

I like Sony.
Have a cathode-ray TV, 17 years old and running perfectly. I won't get rid of it until it packs in.
I recently purchased my first flat screen TV from Sony and I love it, although the UI is just ok.
Bought a Sony Ultrabook for my wife's work, the build quality blows Samsung crap out of the water, although doesn't compare to my MBA.
I had a Samsung LCD and it lasted a few months past warranty, it's in the garage awaiting my axe when I find the time and place to hack it to pieces. This piece of shit tormented me for ages by not switching on.
Had it fixed once and the problem came back.
Yes I know, these are my experiences, and so far Sony has been great.
I know nothing about their phones, but I would expect their build quality to easily surpass the majority of android phones. Samsung? Don't make me laugh.

I came across info that Sony is still most trusted consumer electronic brand in New Zealand. I'd expect there is at least some reason for that.

I don't have too much Sony gear, but what I do have works fine.

My PS2 is still in perfect condition. Even original controllers, which is not bad considering that last 3 years they were seriously abused by visiting friends kids.

My PS3 received above average (ab)use in the last 3 years and works fine, including all Sony peripherals.

My wife's VAIO SVS is working at least 10 hours a day minimum and works as good as on first day - as in, no BSODs, no fan going into overdrive (there must be some dust buld-up inside), no material "fatigue" (hinges, keys, ODD, case creaks). Even keys surface haven't started showing wear (and she does type a lot, working at Uni).

Sony's RX100 camera is great. This summer (NZ summer, that is) was the first time since 2005 I took pocket camera for vacation instead of SLR, and I haven't really missed my SLR. In fact I really enjoyed moving around light.

Much as I am concerned, Sony still can and do make good products, both quality and feature wise.

So do they have a video for Android users… since Android is much more popular as noted by their activation numbers.

Shouldn't moving between Android devices, as long as you use same user profile, be reasonably simple and transparent anyway? Not unlike moving within iDevice family?

I like Sony's recent phones, at least they look nicer than Samsungs. Same would go for latest HTC handsets. Why is Samsung that much more popular than any other Android brand really eludes me.

If there are people moving from iPhone to Android at all, I surely hope they will consider other options beside Samsung. In that light, I salute this effort. Market needs more strong, competitive brands.

I came across info that Sony is still most trusted consumer electronic brand in New Zealand. I'd expect there is at least some reason for that.

I don't have too much Sony gear, but what I do have works fine.

My PS2 is still in perfect condition. Even original controllers, which is not bad considering that last 3 years they were seriously abused by visiting friends kids.

My PS3 received above average (ab)use in the last 3 years and works fine, including all Sony peripherals.

My wife's VAIO SVS is working at least 10 hours a day minimum and works as good as on first day - as in, no BSODs, no fan going into overdrive (there must be some dust buld-up inside), no material "fatigue" (hinges, keys, ODD, case creaks). Even keys surface haven't started showing wear (and she does type a lot, working at Uni).

Sony's RX100 camera is great. This summer (NZ summer, that is) was the first time since 2005 I took pocket camera for vacation instead of SLR, and I haven't really missed my SLR. In fact I really enjoyed moving around light.

Much as I am concerned, Sony still can and do make good products, both quality and feature wise.

Glad to hear that Sony has been good for you as it has for me.
I assume Sony manufactures their products in Japan, if so, this explains the quality of their products.

It looks like the company's stock is down around 30% compared to a year ago (But to be fair, apple's is down comparably). Apple had $13 billion in profits last quarter, the second highest ever for a US corporation. Sony has lost money for the past four quarters. Even without the comparison to apple, losing money constitutes "troubled". That's how I'd interpret the word.

So Amazon is troubled then?

Absolutely. You don't think Amazon is troubled? They can't lose money forever. Without significant change they won't be around in 10 years.

Shouldn't moving between Android devices, as long as you use same user profile, be reasonably simple and transparent anyway? Not unlike moving within iDevice family?

I like Sony's recent phones, at least they look nicer than Samsungs. Same would go for latest HTC handsets. Why is Samsung that much more popular than any other Android brand really eludes me.

If there are people moving from iPhone to Android at all, I surely hope they will consider other options beside Samsung. In that light, I salute this effort. Market needs more strong, competitive brands.

Samsung has done a great job with their advertising, and streamlining their high-end line. There were a million Galaxy S2 variants, but the S3 sold everywhere was the same.

And I do agree Sony and HTC make much nicer phones, in fact HTC, Sony and Lenovo would be my picks for best Android phones, Samsung is terrible (down there with LG).

If HTC stays disciplined and actually make the One their only flagship this year, they could make a very strong comeback. Another big plus for HTC is their licensing deals with both MS and Apple - they can essentially innovate with absolutely no fear of lawsuits. And the One looks pretty slick, great camera, cool Flipboard-like home screen, front speakers, aluminum body, etc..., all looks great.

Sony does a significant of manufacturing in China. Looks like this is another field of expertise of yours, like chemistry.

That is interesting question - I know that camera, RX100, is made in Japan, and will check other Sony items I have. I don't believe it is really important nowadays, tho. If factory is well equipped and workers well trained, geographic location is hardly quality-defining factor any more. Isn't Apple doing most/all of their production in China, anyway? And they are still well put together.

Ironically, I don't actually believe that Apple intends to make a watch but the example was their to illustrate that Sony are playing catch-up. Big-time.

Here's to hoping that Kazuo can turn it all around...

They actually are still strong in console market. Don't forget that Sony was selling 3 (even 4 for a short time) different consoles to one Xbox.

While PS3 only outsold X360 globaly in early 2013 , consider that Sony was also making PS2 until end 2012, and PSP is still being made. PSP alone outsold X360, with 1 year head-start. And PS2 was still selling well back in 2006/7/8 at least. Put them all together, Playstation sales should more than double Xbox sales in 2006 - 2013 period.

I'm sorry, but when I look at Microsoft's percentage of the console market in 2001 then look at it now, the words, "Well done, Sony" don't spring to mind...

It would be irrational to expect that PS2 runaway success can go on for ever.

But then, from that perspective Apple is not doing too good with iPad either. They had pretty much 100% of market in the first year or so when iPad was introduced. You can only go down from that number, and they did.

Now it also depends what will MS and Sony do with X360 and PS3 in the next few years. If MS does the same as they did with original Xbox (as in discontinue it right after X720 is introduced) and Sony does what they did with PS2 (as in keep making PS3 until PS5 is about to be introduced), Sony still might have a winner in this console generation. Unlikely, but not impossible.

Shouldn't moving between Android devices, as long as you use same user profile, be reasonably simple and transparent anyway? Not unlike moving within iDevice family?

I like Sony's recent phones, at least they look nicer than Samsungs. Same would go for latest HTC handsets. Why is Samsung that much more popular than any other Android brand really eludes me.

If there are people moving from iPhone to Android at all, I surely hope they will consider other options beside Samsung. In that light, I salute this effort. Market needs more strong, competitive brands.

Sure. There might a couple issues depending on the version or the vendor's add-ons but that's doubtful. My comment was really meant to be a joke.

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